Three-Dimensional Digitalized Surface and Volumetric Analysis of Posterior Prefabricated Zirconia Crowns for Children

Objectives: This study was designed to compare the surface morphologies and volumes of posterior prefabricated zirconia crowns and posterior stainless steel crowns (SSCs) using digitalized three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed images. Study design: We tested prefabricated zirconia crowns (NuSmile ZR; Orthodontic Technologies, Houston, TX, USA) and SSCs (Kids Crown; Shinhung, Seoul, Korea) used to restore left maxillary and mandibular molars. A Rainbow scanner (Dentium, Seoul, Korea) was used to digitise the inner and outer surface morphologies of all crowns. The data were superimposed and evaluated using 3D software. The differences between the outer and inner surfaces and inner volume were measured. Results: The differences between the two types of crowns differed by tooth surface. At the occlusal surface, the differences were greater at the cusp tip than the fossa. At the axial level, the differences decreased toward the gingival margins. Also, relative volumetric ratios varied. Conclusions: Tooth preparation prior to placement of prefabricated zirconia crowns requires special consideration. Greater amounts of tooth reduction are necessary for posterior zirconia crowns than for SSCs. The occlusal surface requires more tooth reduction than the axial surface and the gingival margin.